St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-04-23
RETRI BU ITO N.
u
BY "THE DUCHESS"
CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.
"Wheres" exclaims Millicent, as much
taken aback as even Lady Valworth can
desire.
Ground Madness neck"
"Oh, you must have been mistaken
How could Nadine have diamond cross
of such value?'
"How, indeed! She said she had been
given it by that man to whom she is en-
gaged-Paul Annerley."
"a city clerk! Impossible! Dearest
aunt, you may be sure you have made a
mistake. These French jewelries are so
good nowadays. They copy so exactly
the fine old designs that one is easily de-
ceived when brought face to face with
them'
''No; am not deceived" says Lady
Valworth. Her tone is that of one who is
sure of her argument. 1t is. indeed. SO
strong, so unlike the usually vacillatjng
Lady ValWorth, thst Millicent is struck
byit cit is my cross-the one belonging
to the diamond set Sir Thomas gave m,
SIA +..y marriage, that Is hanging around
her neck"
''But how could Nadine''--
''If you doubt it, " said Lady Va1worth,
with sudden vehemence, "'let me have an
authority to prove that what | say is
right. Call Sir Thomas. He is over
there. Ask him." 'Dear Lady Val
worth, but you know you would not like
to distress Miss Roche" puts in Gerald
Massareene who has been perforce a list
ener to the disclosure and who now feels
he must take prominent part in the dis
cussion.
He is amply rewarded for his interfer-
ence by all eloquent look from Millicent.
''True--trueI" says Lady Valworth
signing. Il shall not speak to Sir
Thomas now but by and by shall call
his attention to it. Good heavens Mili-
cent this may mean the recovery OF the
whole set. >"
"Hardly think. These matters drift
By piecemeal they enter the windows of
respectable jelwelers, and all the research
in the world will not bring to light the
real offendcrs.n
''Still, it gives hope. I shall examine
Nadine, and"
''Not now-not until tomorrow night
has gone over our headsr' entreats Milli-
cent, eagerly, willing to spare Nadine a
shock. why would you make unhappy
guest in your house on the very eve of
Grants birthnight ball?'
This is the very argument Of all others
to gain over Lady Valworth to her way of
thinking.
eyes. All should go smoothly for
Grant," says Grants mother thought
fully. "And Nadine-she-she may not
be to blamen
MAY not?' Millicent's s eyes grow dark
with indignant reproach. 'What can
you mean by such speech as that?
foy hal;
that she has had any part in this strange
story of which you speak,"
''My dear child, would not hurt you
IN any way, as you well know-not even
through another. And as for Nadine. |
you can see yourself how highly esteem
herr
''g4ighly indeed, when you can hint at |
scandal in connection with her,
II have limited at nothing I confess |
/ am horribly distressed at seeing my
own cross round another's neck. Do YOU |
blame me for thats"
In her distress at having broueh down |
the anger of her sons fiancee upon her
head, and her agitation at seeing again
portion of her lost diamonds, poor Lady |
Valworth is reduced to the very verge of
despair.
BE reasonable, Millicent. At least.
grant me justice. | have said nothing to
Nadine. Why should I, when deem her
Yet the connecting link be-
sween me and the robber of my diamonds
les with her."
Twill not have her connected with this
Iffair in any way" cries Millicent, hotly,
ears in her eyes. .'In seeking for your
Missing link, you will incriminate her.
nd terrify her and make her wretched.
Ind she has had nothing to do with it.
las she?''
She turns almost deflantly upon Massa-
eene, who up to this has been silent.
"Do you think she has?''
GA thousand times nop' declares he
emily. "Miss Roche and deceit of any
ind seem to me as far apart as the poles.
stands to reason, too, that if she had
nown anything of the lost diamonds, she
Tould hardly have worn them here"
He is so earnest, 80 eager in his speech,
nat Millicent, with her eyes full of tears,
.ys her hand on his. This act repays
i'm for many things, and makes him
'ebly Madness friend And his argu-
lent, too goes home to Lady Valworth,
, that two causes are gained If the ,
tier had ever permitted herself to have
ny doubts, they now vanish into moth ,
gness, and only Madness pale, pure face ,
ses before her. On such face no guilt
puld lie! .
'sMy dear, meant nothing-nothing,
far as Nadine is concerned!" she cries :,
agitation; "but, of course, it is only ! !
Ltural that should desire the return of
y diamonds-Sir Thomas diamonds. If r
adine can help me to solution Of this :
fficulty, shall forever hold her In my
hit -
tWho gave this cross to herf' ask
.illicent suddenly, If q little coldly.
"The man to whom she is engaged. +,
aul Annerley she called him. The man :, =
le is going to marry" 81
nYou presen4 him to me in the light OF b